How to Cite an Article in a Collection MLA
Citing an article in a collection using the MLA format can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re new to the style. However, with a clear understanding of the guidelines, you can easily create a well-formatted citation. In this article, we will walk you through the process of citing an article in a collection using MLA format.
Understanding MLA Format
Before we dive into the specifics of citing an article in a collection, it’s important to have a basic understanding of MLA format. MLA (Modern Language Association) is a widely used citation style in the humanities, particularly in English literature, cultural studies, and other related fields. The MLA format emphasizes the use of parenthetical citations and a Works Cited page to give proper credit to the sources you’ve used in your research.
Formatting the In-text Citation
To cite an article in a collection in MLA format, you’ll need to include the author’s last name, the article’s title, the book’s title, the editor’s name (if available), the publication date, and the page numbers of the article. Here’s an example of how to format the in-text citation:
Smith, John. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Collection, edited by Jane Doe, 123-456.
In this example, “Smith” is the author’s last name, “John” is the author’s first name, “Title of the Article” is the title of the article, “Title of the Collection” is the title of the book containing the article, “Jane Doe” is the editor’s name, and “123-456” are the page numbers of the article.
Formatting the Works Cited Entry
In addition to the in-text citation, you’ll also need to include a full citation in the Works Cited list. Here’s how to format the Works Cited entry for an article in a collection:
Smith, John. “Title of the Article.” Title of the Collection, edited by Jane Doe, 123-456. Publisher, Year of Publication.
In this example, “Smith” is the author’s last name, “John” is the author’s first name, “Title of the Article” is the title of the article, “Title of the Collection” is the title of the book containing the article, “Jane Doe” is the editor’s name, and “Publisher, Year of Publication” provides information about the book’s publication.
Remembering the Guidelines
When citing an article in a collection using MLA format, keep the following guidelines in mind:
1. Use quotation marks around the title of the article.
2. Capitalize the first word of the article’s title and any major words thereafter.
3. If the article is part of a larger work, include the title of the book in italics.
4. Use the author’s last name followed by a comma and the first name.
5. Provide the page numbers of the article.
6. Include the editor’s name and publication information in the Works Cited entry.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to create accurate and well-formatted citations for articles in collections using MLA format. Remember, proper citation is essential for giving credit to the sources you’ve used in your research and avoiding plagiarism.
